FishyNW is all about chasing fish across North Idaho and Eastern Washington — mostly from a kayak, sometimes from shore, always with purpose. We’re out here rain or shine (usually shine), documenting every success, mishap, and upgrade along the way.
My name is Gary. I fish the waters of North Idaho and Eastern Washington and I document my adventures on FishyNW. I started this site to document local trips, share gear ideas, and give people a real look at what works out here. Now it’s grown into something way bigger than I expected.
This site started as a way to track lake conditions and catch reports, but it quickly grew into something more. Now it’s a full record of where I fish, how I rig my gear, what works (and what doesn’t), and the stories I pick up in between. If you’re into kayak mods, backwater adventures, or figuring out how to land more fish with less nonsense, you’re in the right place.
I served ten years in the Navy working on underwater mine systems, and enjoy SCUBA diving. After the military, I worked in IT and later at the VA, helping veterans get the care they need. That mix of technical work and outdoor experience shaped how I fish and how I build out my gear. If I can make a setup more efficient, I will.
Everything you see here comes from real trips. No stock photos. No generic product reviews. The lake reports are based on first-hand experience. The gear guides are written after miles of use. The videos? I film myself, on the water, while doing exactly what I write about.
Whether you’re a weekend angler, a kayak gear junkie, or just planning your first fishing trip in the Northwest, welcome aboard.
I’m not just here to post nice fish pics. I’m here to give real feedback on tackle, power setups, kayak mods, and anything else that helps anglers fish smarter and more comfortably. And yeah, I get skunked sometimes too. That’s part of the game.
Disabled veteran? You may be eligible for a lower cost fishing license, free parks pass, and free boat ramp use at Kootenai County launches!
Learn moreGet fishing license and boat registration information on our resources page
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